Winter Care Tips For Your Rabbit
Seen as though we are in for a cold spell over the next couple of weeks, I thought there was no better time to help you prepare your pets for the forthcoming cold spell.
It is worth remembering that rabbits are not native to this country and therefore feel the cold and damp weather more. They were originally introduced into this country from the Mediterranean and are used to much warmer weather. Guinea Pigs are also more accustomed to warmer climes having originated from South America. It is therefore important that you undertake some general winter checks to ensure your pets are comfortable throughout the colder weather.
Here are some tips to consider:
- A warm, dry enclosure should be provided at all times to provide shelter for your pet to sleep in and as protection against the elements. Most rabbit hutches for sale are divided into two compartments, offering an enclosed, sheltered compartment on one side for your pet to sleep in.
- Location – it is advisable to locate your rabbit hutch in a secluded, sheltered part of your garden which is away from driving wind, rain and snow which can cause the rabbit hutch to become wet and damp.
- Rabbit Hutch Covers – a protective plastic rabbit hutch cover will help to keep your hutch dry providing extra warmth and protection for your pet. Check out Rabbit Shack’s range of quality rabbit hutch covers!
- Exercise Runs – rabbits and guinea pigs also need exercise during the cold weather to help keep them fit and healthy. An exercise run should be provided for this purpose. It should also be placed in a dry, sheltered area so that it does not become water logged or too muddy for your pet to exercise in. There are also protective covers available for exercise runs to help preserve their life.
Some simple winter checks:-
It is also worth checking the condition of your rabbit hutch.
Wooden Legs – check the legs have not started to rot as this could mean that your rabbit hutch could collapse with your pet in it! If there are signs of rot then the timber legs will need replacing. Rabbit Shack has a range of rabbit hutches for sale which feature special plastic protectors at the end of the wooden legs to help prevent premature rotting. Check out their full range of rabbit hutches for sale as some are on special offer!
Roof – it is also worth checking the roof to ensure it is water tight and there are no signs of leaking or damp. More often than not the heat of the summer can cause the roof covering to expand and tear. Once the bad weather comes, this can lead to water leaking into the hutch. This is not only detrimental to the health of your rabbit but could cause your rabbit hutch to prematurely rot. This can be easily rectified by replacing the roof felt. Also check the roof is free of rot or this will need replacing too.
Floor – one more final check when you next clean out your rabbit hutch is to check the floor for any damp or rot. Rabbit urine is usually the main cause of this as rabbits tend to toilet in the same area. One way to protect the floor is to fit a plastic tray or base. Rabbit Shack rabbit hutches all come with easy clean plastic trays as standard.
Treat the timber – if the wood has not been tannelised then the rabbit hutch will need to be treated at least once a year with an animal friendly preservative which are widely available on the internet and most garden centres.
Regular oiling – The hinges, hasps and bolts of the rabbit hutch should be oiled regularly especially in cold, frosty weather to ensure they move freely and do not freeze up.
Safety – bolts should be fitted to your rabbit hutch rather than a latch to ensure predators are kept out. Strong bolts or even a padlock will give you greater peace of mind that your beloved pet is safe and secure.
Bedding – warm bedding should be placed in your rabbit hutch to ensure your pet has a warm, dry place to sleep. Hay is a very good insulator and is also good for supplementing your pet’s diet.
Food & drink -There are many nutritional grains available on the market which could help sustain your pet through the cold weather, however these should only be given in small amounts as part of a varied diet. Fresh greens and dandelions should be provided regularly. Pets At Home and Pet Planet sell a range of rabbit food.
A fresh supply of water should be available at all times. Tip do not fill your water bottle to the top during freezing weather as this can cause your water bottle to crack. It is also worth checking the drinking spout to ensure free flow of water as this can sometimes get blocked with ice in freezing weather.
A final paws for thought………
One final thing you may wish to do in cold weather is bring your hutch indoors or into a well lit shed, garage or conservatory. It is wise to wait for the warmer weather to arrive before transferring your pet outside as the sudden change in temperature can cause problems for your pet.
If you are considering buying a rabbit or guinea pig at this time of year, then it is best to keep it inside before transferring them to the garden come spring time.
We hope this post has given you some useful tips on caring for your rabbit or guinea pig during the cold weather. It should also help to prolong the life of your rabbit hutch, saving you money in the long run!
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Super Pet Shack sell a range of quality Rabbit Shack single rabbit hutches, double hutches with under-runs, hutches with exercise runs and large rabbit enclosures. Many are on special offer so check out their range here!
Coming soon…..
Rabbit Shack is soon to release a new range of larger rabbit hutches with attachable exercise runs which comply with RWAF (Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund) guidelines. For more information visit www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/ahutchisnotenough.htm